Police say they have disrupted the supply of drugs in Ellesmere Port after mounting a special operation.

As part of Operation Strikeout, teams of officers executed four co-ordinated warrants at addresses across the town on Monday morning.

The Pioneer was invited along to watch the raids taking place, which coincided with National Tackling Drugs Week.

The warrants, carried out at addresses in Fleet Street, Stokesay Court, Hampton Gardens and Festival Road, saw officers seize what they believe to be cocaine, cannabis bush, cannabis resin and magic mushrooms.

A Kawasaki motorcycle, believed to have been stolen earlier this month, was also recovered.

Pills were discovered at one of the addresses, but these have yet to be identified.

Inspector Richard Rees, of Ellesmere Port and Neston Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: "We are pleased with the results of the warrants which show how seriously we take the issue of drugs in Ellesmere Port.

"I want to reassure all residents of Ellesmere Port and Neston that we are committed to tackling the supply and use of drugs in our area and welcome any information the public may have in relation to this.

"These warrants were only possible thanks to the painstaking gathering of information by our officers, which, vitally, includes intelligence from the community.

"We are determined to take steps to reduce the impact of drugs in our communities but can only do this with the support of those who live and work in the area."

Superintendent John Betts, overseeing Operation Strikeout in Cheshire police’s Western Area, said: "Drugs are one of the most significant contributing factors to serious and organised crime in the county.

"Operation Strikeout is designed to tackle this issue by taking direct action against those involved in the drugs industry.

"The warrants executed were the start of a week of concerted activity by our officers across the area and the message is very clear – do not become involved in drugs and expect to get away with it. We will find you and we will take action."

A 24-year-old Ellesmere Port man, arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, has been bailed pending further enquiries and also given a caution for possessing cannabis and magic mushrooms.

A 28-year-old man and a 33-year-old man, both from the town, have both been cautioned for possessing